The American Accordionists’ Association Master Class and Concert Series celebrated its 16th season on July 30, 31 and August 1 at Tenri Cultural Institute in New York.
The moderation/curator, Dr. William Schimmel, says that it was one of the best ones yet – intriguing workshops, stellar performances and, most of all, a collegial attitude in its presentation.
What makes the Seminars different than any other event concerning the accordion?
1. The weekend is totally about the accordion and its culture. No stars – only the accordion.
2. The weekend is entirely non-competitive.
3. We present ideas and we are always learning.
4. We provide and intimate atmosphere which empowers anyone who chooses to attend.
5. We listen to every idea that is presented to us and we take it seriously. No one is ridiculed or put down over an idea that doesn’t seem to “fly” at the moment.
6. Everything is presented in a clear cut fashion. Everyone who attends will understand what we are saying or doing. There is no esoteric shop talk.
7. There is something for everyone. If you attend, we urge you to “stick it out” and suspend your judgment. There will be inevitably something for you in it.
8. We present innovative information and yet we always present too much of it. Our concerts are a bit too long and our workshops make one’s head spin. One participant said that her head spun for over a year due to all of the information that was presented in a short span of time.
9. Many of the spectators become actual participants in time. We are interested in everyone who attends. We are interested in helping you realize your goals. Anyone may attend – at any level. All we ask of you is to come with an open mind and most of all, a warm heart.
10. There is a certain “humility” to those who attend and participate at the Seminars. Ironically, many of the participants and presenters come from the greatest universities and conservatories in the world.
11.We span the horizon:
Juilliard, Peabody, Mannes, Oberlin, Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Yale – yet there is a certain “humility” in those who are there to serve the accordion in the best light that they can. They consider it to be a privilege and, yes, it can be humbling at times. Although we believe that there is something for everyone in the Seminars, we also realize that they may not be for everyone.
This may sound like a contradiction. We raise the bar extremely high yet we also present ideas that show the accordion in new and unusual manners as well as new takes on old ideas. This may be at times startling, due to the fact that our ideas about technique and process in general may differ greatly from conservatories and academic institutions – yet still maintain a “schooled” philosophy due to the “rub” and friction between the two. This is part of what we call “The built in ironic duality”. We revel in the “rub”. We don’t look for the easy way out.
12. We believe that the accordion is in a better place since the Seminars. And we say that proudly and we also say it with humility.
Time out New York has called the Seminars “ The Apotheosis of the Accordion” – the laboratory where ideas are bred.
13. If you feel that the Seminars are for you – join us next year! We will announce the date and title soon.
Deiro delights – Ettore elaborates – Frosini Fascillitates – Ellegaard is elegant – Magnante magnifies – Palmer is pedagogy – John Gart grabs you WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? FIND OUT – AT THE SEMINARS!
Check out the photo gallery by composer David Stoler on William Schimmel’s Facebook page.
Participants were from the local New York area, across the United States as well as China, Japan and Norway.
Featured participants and performers included: Micki Goodman, Paul Stein, Dr. Robert Young Mc Mahan, Dr. Mark Birnbaum, Will Holshouser, Art Bailey, Doug Makofka, Ingrid Kvale, Carl Riehl, Brian Dewan, Martini Li, Mani Okada, Mr. Fukui, Cristina Speligene,
Dr. Rocco Jerry, David Stoler, David First, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig, Lee Mc Clure, Ken Laufer, John Foti, Mary Tokarski, Kathleen Tipton, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson Wolf and Dr. William Schimmel.
